When Yah'shua was on the earth the first time He said: "My kingdom is not of this world" (Jn.18:36, NIV) and when He was accused of sedition against the state for proclaiming Himself a "king" He made it abundantly clear that He had not come to the world set up a theocracy - a divinely ruled monarchic state - at that time. To Pilate He said: "But now My kingdom is from another place" (Ibid.). And so, after a flogging, He was acquitted of the charge of seeking His own physical, temporal Kingdom (Jn.19:4).

Throughout His ministry the Saviour spent much time explaining what His Kingdom was like through parables and in almost every one of them He explained that it was first and foremost an inner spiritual condition. However, it was not only that. "Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of Elohim (God) would come, Yah'shua (Jesus) replied, "The kingdom of Elohim does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of Elohim is within you" (Lk.17:20-21, NIV). From this most have assumed that the Kingdom of Yahweh was an entirely spiritual affair. However, in this passage - the only one in the Bible where Yah'shua says the kingdom is "within" - we are being told how and from where the Kingdom would come - it's point of origin. There is actually quite a problem translating this passage because it can be rendered in two different ways, a fact that has caused translators problems, forcing them to adopt one or the other rendition, when in fact only both renditions do justice to the original meaning. It may also be translated: "..the kingdom of Elohim is amongst you". Therefore the passage should properly be translated as: "the kingdom of Elohim is within you and amongst you" (Lk.17:21, cp. AmpV).

This is vitally important because in the original word usage we are being instructed to understand that the Kingdom of Yahweh has both an inner and an outer component. It is both spiritual and temporal/physical. The people expected Yah'shua to restore the physical Kingdom of Israel as it had been under David but He was quick to point out that His Kingdom would not be established in the ways of the world. In the world, governments are imposed by kings, dictators or by popular consent (democracy) from the outside, but in the Kingdom of Yahweh His rule is established from the inside outwards, in much the same way as the true local church or assembly is constructed.

Yah'shua said: "I will build My church" (Mt.16:18, KJV) or "assembly/fellowship" and it would be built, not as worldly kingdoms are by divine right of kings, inheritance, revolution, popular democracy, etc., but upon the rock of truth which Kefa (Peter) confessed, namely the revelation that Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim" (Mt.16:16, KJV) which may only be obtained by possessing the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). Not until Kefa (Peter) had come to this knowledge through revelation within did the Messianic Community or Church effectively begin, though it was not fully endowed until after the ascenscion on the Day of Pentecost (Shavu'ot).

The early Messianic Community was not a nation because that was already in place, namely, Israel, albeit under foreign (Roman) occupation. But the secular/religious nation rejected its natural ruler, Christ, and it therefore ceased to be the Kingdom. Instead the Kingdom, at least in a germinating form, was the nationless Messianic Community, which is itself Israel. The early Kingdom of Yahweh had no national borders, no geography to speak of, save where the first Christians would gather for worship and fellowship. An unsual Kingdom indeed. Thus the Kingdom of Yahweh - the nation of Israel - the Christian Assembly or Church - became (as the unbelieving Jews themselves became) - a nation dispersed - a nation in exile. It's remnants consisted of small fellowships or colonies of believers scattered throughout the nations - lights in the world but not of it (Mt.5:14; Jn.15:19; 17:16; &c.) - like an invisible network. But the understanding was always that there would one day be a physical Kingdom in which Yah'shua ruled as King for a thousand years - in a millennium of peace, justice and righteousness.

But many were impatient to make the physical Kingdom a physical reality before its time using the methods of the world. Rome (Catholic), Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox), Geneva (Protestant-Calvinist), and Salt Lake City (Mormon) and others all became temporal capitals of man-made theocratic empires that were often built by force of arms. And some of these still wish to make a temporal Kingdom based on Italy, Byzantium, Moscow, Utah/Deseret and other countries or states. The Crusaders even tried to make Jerusalem the physical Kingdom's capital before its time and naturally failed. And in more recent times, Tulsa (Oklahoma), Azuza Street (California), Pensacola (Florida), and Toronto (Canada) have tried to make themselves spiritual meccas. All these "kingdoms" are due to be subjugated (or have already been destroyed) to
the Kingdom, whether religious or secular (Rev.11:15). But none of them are, or will be, the Kingdom of Yahweh.

The early Messianic Community or Christian Church, then, was a miniature replica of the Kingdom that is yet to come. Each truly born-again soul had the Kingdom within himself, manifested to differeing degrees according to his righteousness and holiness; and collectively these souls constituted the Kingdom of Yahweh among men. Each local assembly was like a single cell of the physical Body of Messiah but dispersed throughout the world, yet invisibly connected.

Today we have a truly pitiful state of affairs with Christians divided into some 3,000 different camps. In Protestantism there are something like 34,000 denominations all teaching different things, and even the Mormons (who claim to be exlusively the Kingdom) have been split over 200 ways. Most are united in certain fundamental truths but disagree as to the nature of discipleship, salvation, authority, the temporal Kingdom, and much else besides. Almost none of them have a program for the end-time at all and have only vague ideas of what the theocratic millennial Kingdom is and even less on how it will be set up. Some have their own programs in place already built upon distorted biblical principles. The Jehovah's Witnesses think they will "take over" when the millennium starts, the Mormons think they will "take over" and build their capital in Missouri, the Catholics think they will already have taken over when He returns (and will in fact do so for a few years before the Antichrist crushes and destroys his all-too-willing ally). The Seventh-Day Adventists think they will rule in heaven. Many, many people all have "ideas" on how they will become the rulers when Messiah comes back. But they are mostly wrong.

So just what will happen? And how ought we to be preparing for it?

Glossary of MLT Hebraic, Greek and English Terms For other terms and full details please see the Micropedia

AAdon(ai) = Master, a pagan fertility god, Adonis; used by many Messianics but not MLT(a)eon(ian) = 7 dispensation- or age-long time periods, not forever (see le-olam-va-ed)Alef-Tav = Alpha-Omega, A-Z, first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet = Yah'shuaAmen = truly, let it be so, written Amein by some MessianicsApocrypha = Hebraic Scriptures not a part of the Protestant canon (e.g. Baruch)Anti-Messiah = Hebraic term for the end-time Antichrist or anyone opposed to the Messiahantinomian = lawless Christian who disregards all or part of Torah/commandmentsAshkenazi Jew = East European Jew descended from the Turkic-Japhethite Khazars Assembly = church, congregation, ekklesia, community, fellowship, koinonia, gatheringAzazel = the Yom Kippur scapegoatBBaal, Ba'al = any other master than Yahweh, usually demonic in MLT terminologyBachor(im) = firstborn son(s)Bar/Bat Mitzvah = Son/Daughter of Commandment, covenant to obey Torah at age 12being = soul, the whole person (spirit and body), e.g. "my whole being"Beit, bet, beth = house, e.g. Beit Yisrael (House of Israel), Beth Lechem (House of Bread)Beit haMikdash = Yahweh's Temple in YerushalayimB'rit Chadashah = the New Covenant; B'rit Chadashah Scriptures = New TestamentB'rit Milah = circumcision - abolished in the B'rit Chadashah, replaced by MikvahCcanon = authoritative Scripture (Heb. qaneh, Gk. kanŰn = measuring instrument)Catechumen = a serious, covenanted investigator seeking Mikvah or Baptism in MLTChag haMatzah = Feast of Unleavened Bread, second of the annual feasts of YahwehChavurat Bekorot = MLT's Priesthood Order, Holy Order and Assembly of the FirstbornCohen = priest; Cohen Gadol = High Priest (also spelled Kohen)Council of Yah's elohim = the heavenly Assembly of the Firstborn or Chavurat BekorotDdemon = fallen malek or angel in rebellion against Yahweh (Heb. shad; see l-Shaddai)derech = the Way, Path or Road - Yah'shua and the Gospel are the WayDrash = moral or homiletic interpretation of Scripture - see PaRDeSEEchad = One, Union of two or more in one (as opposed to Yachid) - see ElohimEchad Godhead Doctrine = Father Yahweh, Son Yah'shua and Sevenfold Ruach (Mother)Êl, Eloah, Elah = God the Father, YahwehÊl-Elyon = Most High God, YahwehÊl-Shaddai = Master/Lord over all shads or demonsElohim = God, the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit), lit. 'Mighty One(s)', 'Ruler(s)'elohim = Israelite judges, rulers, angels or gods (false deities, idols, demons)emunah = faith, actively trusting, clinging or adhering to (especially Yahweh or Yah'shua)emet = truth, Yah'shua is the EmetEphraimite = descendant of the patriarch Ephraim and head of Messsianic IsraelFFeasts of Yahweh = the 7 annual Moedim (Pesach, Chag haMatzah, Yom haBikkurim, Shavu'ot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot)GGan-Eden = Garden of Eden, Paradise and state of the purified heart in Messiahgoy(im) = nation(s), Israelites or gentiles not born in or converted to the CovenantHhallelu-Yah = praise Yah(weh)!Heylel = proper name of Satan or haSatan = the Adversary, the devilSabbath = Yom Shabbat (Friday to Saturday sunset, add 1 day in IDL Zone)Hochmah = Wisdom, title of the 7-fold Ruach haQodeshIIDL = International Date Line, false man-made time division in Pacific OceanIDL Zone = Area between the true Divine Date Line (Lake Van/Eden) and the false oneIsraeli = citizen of the modern Edomite-Khazar Republic of Israel (not Biblical Israel)Israelite = citizen of biblical state of Israel or a modern follower of the MessiahJJew = post-biblical term describing descendants of Edomite and Khazar converts to JudaismJohannine = pertaining to the Apostle Yochanan (e.g. Gospel of John)Josephite = descendant of the patriarch Joseph, the head of Messianic IsraelJudahite = a person in direct descent from the patriarch Judah, forefather of the MessiahJudaism = a Talmudic-based religion rejecting Yah'shua the MessiahJudean = a citizen of the Kingdom or Province of Judah until the 2nd Century diasporaKKadosh la Yahweh = set-apart or dedicated to Yahweh, 'Holiness to the Lord', MLT mottoKaraites = Jews (from 700 AD) who reject the Talmud and accept only the Tanakhkashrut = keeping kosher, food laws of Yahweh and correspinding lifestyleKetuvim = Writings or Hagiographa of the TanakhKhazar = a Turkic convert to Judaism ~700 AD forming the AshkenaziJewish communitykosher = clean foods authorised by Yahweh for human consumptionLLashon Hara = evil-speaking, gossip or slanderlegalism = false route to salvation through works (self-salvation)le-olam-va-ed = dispensation- or age-long, aeonian, not eternal, forever or for eternityLev = heart, as in Lev-Tsiyon = heart of ZionLev-Tsiyon = Heart of the Fortress [of Yahweh], Hebrew name of MLT's founderMMaster = Lord, Sir, Adon(ai) - (one in authority, a ruler - a king, husband, prophet, judge)Malak(im) = Angel(s), heavenly supernatural messenger(s)manna = wafers of honey, bread from heaven (lit. 'what is this?')matzah = unleavened bread, see Chag haMatzahMenorah = 7-armed candlearbra = the 7 annual Moedim and 7-fold Ruach haQodeshMessiah = Christ; Anti-Messiah = AntichristMessianic Community = Body of Christ, sum total of all true believers; all true fellowshipsMessianic Israel = all who worship Yahweh, trust in Yah'shua, obey Torah and overcomeMessianic Jew = Messianic convert from Judaism still clinging to Talmudic traditionsMidrash = aggadic interpretation of scripture vi‚ Drash, a scriptural discussionMikvah = baptism by immersion of convert into Yah'shua or of wife into husbandMishpachah = family: nuclear, congregational, tribal or the whole of Messianic IsraelMLT = Mishpachah Lev-Tsiyon = family of the heart of the fortress [of Yahweh]Mishpat = right-ruling or judgementmitzvah/mitzvot = commandment(s)moed(im) = appointment(s) of Yahweh, 7 Annual Feasts, Sabbath and Rosh ChodeshNNefilim, Nephilim = giant offspring of materialised demons and human womenNevi'im = prophetic writings of the Old Testament or TanakhNew Birth = spiritual conversion in the Ruach haRishon, being 'born again' with new heartNidah = a woman's menstruation period during which no intercourse is permittedOOlive Branch = collection of revelations, prophecies and visions published by MLTPParaclete = Comforter, Advocate (NEB), Counsellor, Ruach haQodesh (Gk. paraklÍtos)PaRDeS = method of textual interpretation (homiletics) - see P'shat, Remez, Drash, SodPatriarch = a father who is head of his family, clan or tribe (lit. 'father-ruler')Pentateuch = first five books of the Tanakh (Genesis-Deuteronomy), also called Torahperibolaion = headcovering worn by daughters/wives in submission to fathers/husbandsPesach = Passover, first of the annual feasts of YahwehPeshitta = an Aramaic version of the BiblePrototrinitarianism = early, simplified MLT formulation of the Echad Godhead DoctrinePrush(im) = Pharisee(s)Pseudepigrapha = Non-canonical Hebrew writings additional to the ApocryphaP'shat = literal, contextual, philological, exoteric, outer meaning of Scripture - see PaRDeSQQadosh Qadoshim = Holy of Holies, most sacred set-apart room of the Beit haMikdashQodesh, Kodesh = set-apart, holy (see Ruach haQodesh)RRabbi = Teacher, term used by Messianic Jews and some Messianic Israelites = PastorRefuge, the 12 Cities of = divinely protected MLT fortresses during the 7-year TribulationRemez = hint or allegorical level of Hebraic understanding of Scripture - see PaRDeSRosh Chodesh = monthly New Moon appointment of Yahwehruach = spirit of a person (lit.'breath')Ruach Elohim = Spirit of God (the Spirit of the collective Godhead or Elohim)Ruach haChamashee = 5th Ruach presides over Yom Teruah and Yom ChamasheeRuach haQodesh = the Sevenfold Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost (lit. 'Set-Apart Breath')Ruach haRevee = 4th Ruach presides over Shavu'ot, Yom Revee and Bar MitzvahRuach haRishon = 1st Ruach presides over Pesach, Yom Rishon and the New BirthRuach haShanee = 2nd Ruach presides over Chag haMatzah and Yom ShaneeRuach haSheshi = 6th Ruach presides over Yom Kippur and Yom SheshiRuach haShleshi = 3rd Ruach presides over Yom haBikkurim, Yom Shleshi and MikvahSSabbath = Yom Shabbat (Friday to Saturday sunset, add 1 day in IDL Zone)Satan = rebel archangel Heylel, father of lies, devil, chief demon (lit.'Adversary')Sephardic Jew = West European Jew of mixed blood containing many JudahitesSeptuagint = Greek translation of the Tanakh, LXXShegal haShabbat = 7th Ruach (Sabbath Queen) presides over Sukkot and Yom ShabbatShekinah = Divine Presence and Glory of Yahweh-ElohimSet-apart = holy, sanctified, consecrated, dedicated, separated (to and by Yahweh)Shabbat-Shabbaton = High Sabbath (e.g. Yom Kippur)Shalom = heavenly peace, standard Hebraic greeting invoking Yahweh's peaceShamash(im) = servant(s), deacon(s), attendant(s)Shavu'ot = Pentecost or Weeks, fourth of the annual feasts of YahwehSheol = grave or pit, euphamism for Hades or hell - also see Tartarusshofar = ram's horn, blown during Yahweh's Moedimsimcha = joy, keynote of SukkotSod = mystical, anagogic, inner or esoteric understanding of Scripture - see PaRDeSSukkot = Tabernacles or Booths, seventh of the annual feasts of YahwehSynagogue = Greek word used by Jews and Messianics (but not MLT) for a meeting houseTtalmid(a) = male/female disciple or studentTalmud = scriptures, teachings and commentaries belonging to non-Messianic JudaismTanakh = acronym for Old Testament Scriptures - Torah, Nevi'im & KetuvimTartarus = place of imprisonment under the earth for rebellious angels and Nephilimteshuvah = repentance, remorse and contrition leading back to Torah obedienceTorah = Yahweh's teachings or Law; New Covenant Torah includes Yah'shua's teachingsTribulation, the Great = the final 7 years of the present aeon when Anti-Messiah rulesTrinity = Catholic Godhead formula - see Echad Godhead Doctrine and PrototrinitarianismTsiyon = Zion, a fortress, a name of Jerusalem and a prominent hillTzitzit/Tizitziyot = tassel(s) worn by men in remembrance of TorahUUniversalism = salvation of all at the cosmic Yovel, with different rewards and punishmentsYYachid = one, single person or item, as opposed to Echad (many in one, unity)Yah'shua the Messiah = Jesus Christ (the Son)Yahudah = Judah - see JudahiteYahweh, Yah, YHWH = the true Name of our Heavenly Father, also carried by Yah'shuaYahweh-Elohim = LORD God (the Father, Yahweh as Head of the Godhead or Elohim)Yahweh haQatan = the sent Yahweh = Yah(weh)'shua, Malak of Yahweh's PresenceYam Suf = Sea of Reeds, the true Israelite Exodus water crossing, not the Red SeaYarden = Jordan River (lit. 'meanderer')Yerushalayim = JerusalemYisrael = Israel (lit. 'ruling with l') = true believers under the New CovenantYom Chamashee = 5th day of the week (Thursday, Friday in IDL Zone)Yom Din, Yom haDin = (the) Day of JudgementYom haBikkurim = Feast of Firstfruits, third of the annual feasts of YahwehYom Revee = 4th day of the week (Wednesday, Thursday in IDL Zone)Yom Rishon = 1st day of the week (Sunday, Monday in IDL Zone)Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement, sixth of the annual feasts of YahwehYom Shabbat = 7th day of the week and Sabbath Rest (Saturday, Sunday in IDL Zone)Yom Shanee = 2nd day of the week (Monday, Tuesday in IDL Zone)Yom Sheshi = 6th day of the week (Friday, Saturday in IDL Zone)Yom Shleshi = 3rd day of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday in IDL Zone)Yom Teruah = Day of Trumpets, fifth of the annual feasts of YahwehYosef = Joseph - see JosephiteYovel = Jubilee or Year of JubileeZZaqen(im) = elder(s) of an assembly or congregation, or senior members of a community ZoŽ Life = Greek term for spiritual life in the Messiah

Commonly Used MLT AbbreviationsFor additional abbreviations and explanations, please see the Micropedia

AAmp.V(er). = Amplified Version of the BibleAram. = AramaicAV = Authorised Version of the Bible - see KJVBBCAY = B'rit Chadashah Assembly of Yahweh - see NCCGBoA = Books of Abraham (e.g. 1Abr., 2Abr., etc.)Ccp, cf = compare withCB(Q) = Chavurat BekorotCEV = Contemporary English Version of the Biblech. = chapterCJB = Complete Jewish BibleCLNT = Concordant Literal New TestamentCYe = Council of Yah's elohimEEng. = EnglishFff. = and onwards/forwardsfn = footnoteGGk. = GreekGNB = Good News Bible - see TEVHHeb. = Hebrew, HebraicHEM = Holy Echad Marriage, eternal marriageHO = Holy Order - see Chavurat BekorotHOC = Holy Order Collection of revelations - see OBHRV = Hebraic-Roots Version of the BibleIibid. = ibidem (lit. 'in the same place'), referring to a book previously citedICJC = Independent Church of Jesus Christ, earlier name of NCCFISRV = Institute for Scripture Research Version of the BibleJJB = Jerusalem BibleJBP/Phillips = J.B.Phillips translation of the New TestamentJNT = Jewish New TestamentKKJV = King James Version of the Bible - see AVLLB = Living Biblelit. = literally or literatureLXX = Septuagint, Greek translation of the OTMMLT = Mishpachah Lev-TsiyonMoff. = Moffatt translation of the BibleMRC = Messianic Renewed Covenant Version of the NTMS(S) = Manuscript(s)NNASB, NASV = New American Standard Bible/VersionNC&C = New Covenants & Commandments - see OBNCCF = New Covenant Christian Fellowship, earlier name of NCCGNCCG = New Covenant Church of God, earlier name of MLT - see BCAYNCP = New Covenant Press, publishing arm of MLTNCW = New Covenant Witness, MLT magazineNEB = New English BibleNIV = New International Version of the BibleNKJV = New King James Version of the BibleNor. = NorwegianNT = New Testament, B'rit ChadashahNWT = New World Translation of the Bible, unreliable Jehovah's Witness versionOOB = Olive Branch - see NC&Cop.cit. = opere citato (lit. in the work cited)OT = Old Testament, TanakhPp(p). = page(s)pl. = plural - see s.PWNC = Prophetic Words of the New Covenant, revelation cataloging system - see OBQQED = quod erat demonstrandum (lit. which was shown to be proved)RRCF = Restoration Christian Fellowship, earlier name of ICJCRhQ = Ruach haQodesh, Holy SpiritRSTNE = Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition of the BibleRSV = Revised Standard Version of the BibleRV = Revised Version of the BibleSs. = singular - see pl.S&G = Smith & Goodspeed Version of the BibleTTEV = Today's English Version of the Bible - see GNBVVulg. = Biblia Vulgata, Latin Vulgate translation of the BibleWWEB = World English Bible